Authors First has emerged from stealth mode with more than US$10 million in Seed funding and a new model for adapting books to the screen. The New York-based studio and distribution platform gives bestselling authors creative control, including final-cut approval, over film and television versions of their work. Its debut project is 'Genghis: Birth of an Empire,' created with historical fiction author Conn Iggulden.
An Author-Led Production Philosophy
The company operates on the belief that the truest version of a story begins in the author's imagination. Authors First works directly with writers from character design and scripting through storyboarding and virtual cinematography. This creator-first structure gives writers creative authority and shared upside across film and television adaptations, while the studio supports them from initial concept to final cut.
Seed Funding and Investor Support
The company has raised more than US$10 million in a Seed round led by early-stage investor Brand Foundry and founder Robert Hamwee. Additional participants include Bolt Ventures, the family office of David Blitzer, Andy Mills, Mike Duggal, and John Kline. The funding is expected to accelerate the studio's technology-enabled production pipeline and its growing slate of adaptations.
Technology That Expands What Is Possible
Authors First combines human artistry with AI-enabled production capabilities to greenlight ambitious historical fiction, science fiction, and fantasy projects. By reducing reliance on costly on-site shoots, CGI, and green screens, the studio can stage complex cinematic moments with greater efficiency. Examples include tracking an arrow in mid-flight and creating epic battle scenes on remote snowy hillsides.
The Debut Series: Genghis
The studio's first adaptation is 'Genghis: Birth of an Empire,' developed with bestselling British author Conn Iggulden. He worked alongside more than 30 production artists to bring the story to life with full creative and final-cut authority. The series will be available soon on the Authors First platform and other leading digital platforms through the company's Filmhub distribution relationship.
From Impossible to In Production
For Conn Iggulden, adapting 'Genghis: Birth of an Empire' through traditional methods was not viable. The story would have required significant capital and years of filming across remote Mongolian landscapes. With Authors First, he collaborated with a dedicated team of production artists to guide camera angles, dialogue, and visual details while retaining final-cut approval, making a faithful adaptation possible without the logistical burden of traditional location filming.
A Growing Slate of Bestselling Works
Beyond the debut series, Authors First is developing adaptations of major literary properties across historical fiction, science fiction, and fantasy. Upcoming projects include Peter F. Hamilton's 'Pandora's Star' as well as bestselling works from David Ball and R.A. Salvatore. The company promotes the result as a true watch-the-book experience, allowing readers to see beloved worlds realized exactly as the writers intended.
Leadership With Entertainment and Technology Roots
Authors First is led by executives with experience at Amazon, Hulu, Paramount, Sony, Universal Pictures, Warner Bros., and Epic Games. The leadership team has marketed and distributed well-known literary adaptations, including Dune, The Lord of the Rings, and DC Comics titles. This blend of Hollywood relationships and technical expertise underpins the company's production and distribution strategy.
Authors First is entering the market with a creator-centric alternative to traditional book-to-screen development. Its Seed funding, author-driven workflow, and use of emerging production tools position it to pursue ambitious adaptations that conventional studios often cannot justify financially. With a debut series from Conn Iggulden and a slate that includes Peter F. Hamilton, David Ball, and R.A. Salvatore, the company is working to turn the author's definitive vision into accessible screen entertainment.